Yoga Postures – Asanas And Their Names

There are a lot of yoga postures and poses known in Sanskrit as ‘asanas’.

Asana is classically defined as ‘posture or pose;’ its literal meaning is ‘seat.’  Originally, there was only one asana– a stable and comfortable pose for prolonged seated meditation.

More than just stretching and toning the physical body, different yoga poses open the nadis – energy channels,  and chakras – psychic centers of the body. Yoga poses also help to purify and heal the body, as well as helping you to develop a controlled, calm focus of the mind.

The different categories of yoga postures produce different energetic, mental, emotional and physical effects withing your body and mind.

Yoga postures have a lot of benefits such that it aims to improve our posture and overall physical well-being.

Yoga postures are good to strengthen our body, giving focus to the thighs, knees and the ankles. If you get used to practicing yoga positions everyday, you can expect that your muscles and bones will respond fairly quickly.

Last update on 2025-05-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The abdomen and the buttocks is considered a major turn on for both genders. For the male, it is ideal to keep up a good abdomen of the abs. This makes it one more physically appealing.
Having a good butt matters to some women too, a lot of them are practicing in order to gain a great figure and overall better shape of their bodies.

How to Manage Yoga Postures

Practicing the right Yoga positions can help relieve sciatica. But these are some pains that cannot be prevented. If you do yoga once in a while and even regularly, you may sometimes experience a little back or muscle pain.

8 Yoga Postures to Increase Energy

Asanas

Sanskrit transliteration	Sanskrit	English	Image	Classification
Adho Mukha Śvānāsana	अधोमुखश्वानासन	Downward-Facing Dog Pose		Arm Balance and Forward Bend.
Adho Mukha Vṛkṣāsana	अधोमुखवृक्षासन	Downward-Facing Tree (Full Arm Balance)		Arm Balance
Ākarṇa Dhanurāsana	आकर्णधनुरासन	Bow posture up to ear		Forward Bend (Paschima Pratana Sthiti)
Anantāsana	अनन्तासन	Ananta‘s pose		Supine Leg stretch
Anjaneyasana	अञ्जनेयासन	Honorable Pose, Crescent Moon, Crescent Lunge		Standing asana (Hip opener)
Ardha Candrāsana	अर्धचन्द्रासन	Half moon		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Ardha Matsyendrāsana	अर्धमत्स्येन्द्रासन	Half lord of the fishes pose		Twisting (Parivrrta Sthiti)
Ardha Navāsana	अर्धनावासन	Half boat posture		Abdominal asana (Udara Akunchana Sthiti)
Aṣṭāvakrāsana	अष्टावक्रासन	Aṣṭāvakra‘s pose		Arm SECe
Baddha Koṇāsana	बद्धकोणासन	Bound angle		Sitting asana/Forward Bend (Upavista Sthiti/Paschima Pratana Sthiti)
Bakāsana	बकासन	Crane		Arm Balance
Bālāsana	बालासन	Child’s Pose		Kneeling forward bend
Bharadvājāsana	भरद्वाजासन	Bharadvaja’s twist		Twisting (Parivrrta Sthiti)
Bhekāsana	भेकासन	Frog		Backbend (Extension) (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Bhujaṅgāsana	भुजङ्गासन	Cobra		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Bhujapīḍāsana	भुजपीडासन	Arm-pressing posture		Arm balance
Bidalasana	बिडालासन	Cat Pose		Kneeling
Caturaṅga Daṇḍāsana	चतुरङ्गदण्डासन	Four-Limbed Staff		Arm Balance
Chakrasana	चक्रासन	Wheel		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Daṇḍāsana	दण्डासन	Staff pose		Sitting asana (Upavista Sthiti)
Dhanurāsana	धनुरासन	Bow		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Dvi Pāda Sirsāsana	द्विपादशिरशासन	Both feet behind head (lit: two-footed head pose)		Forward Bend (Paschima Pratana Sthiti)
Dvi Pāda Viparīta Daṇḍāsana	द्विपदविपरीतदण्डासन	Two-Legged Inverted Staff Pose		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Eka Pada Koundinyāsana I	एकपादकौण्डिण्यासन	Koundinya‘s pose, twisted one legged arm balance		Arm balance
Eka Pada Koundinyasana II	एकपादकौण्डिण्यासन	Koundinya‘s pose, one legged arm balance with straight legs		Arm balance
Eka Pāda Rājakapotāsana I	एकपादराजकपोतासन	One-Legged King Pigeon		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Ekapādaśīrṣāsana	एकपादशीर्षासन	Foot behind Head Pose		Forward Bend (Paschima Pratana Sthiti)
Eka pāda śīrṣāsana	एकपादशीर्षासन	One legged supported head balance		Inverted asana (Viparita Sthiti)
Garbhāsana	गर्भासन	Fetus
Garuḍāsana	गरुडासन	Eagle pose		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Gomukhāsana	गोमुखासन	Cow faced pose		Sitting asana (Upavista Sthiti)
Guptasana	गुप्तासन
Halāsana	हलासन	Plough		Inverted asana (Viparita Sthiti)
Hanumanāsana	हनुमानासन	Monkey Pose		Leg Stretch
Jānuśīrṣāsana	जानुशीर्षासन	Head-to-Knee Forward Bend		Forward Bend (Paschima Pratana Sthiti)
Jāṭharaparivṛttāsana	जाठरपरिवृत्तासन	Belly-revolving posture
Karṇapīḍāsana	कपोतासन	Ear-pressing		Inverted asana (Viparita Sthiti)
Krāuñcāsana	क्रौञ्चासन	Heron
Kukkuṭāsana	कुक्कुटासन	Cockerel		Arm Balance
Kūrmāsana	कूर्मासन	Tortoise		Forward Bend (Paschima Pratana Sthiti)
Lolāsana	लोलासन	Pendant
Mahāmudrā	महामुद्रा	The great seal posture		Forward Bend (Paschima Pratana Sthiti)
Makarāsana	मकरासन	Crocodile
Mālāsana	मालासन	Garland
Maṇḍalāsana	मण्डलासन	Circle
Mārjāryasana	मार्जार्यासन	Cat pose
Matsyāsana	मत्स्यासन	Fish		Supine backbend
Matsyendrāsana	मत्स्येन्द्रासन	Lord of the Fishes		Twisting (Parivrrta Sthiti)
Mayūrāsana	मयूरासन	Peacock		Arm Balance
Muktahastaśīrṣāsana	मुक्तहस्तशीर्षासन	“Hands-Free” Head stand		Inverted asana (Viparita Sthiti)
Muktasana	मुक्तसन	The liberated Pose
Naṭarājāsana	नटराजासन	Dancer or Lord of the Dance		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Nāvāsana	नावासन	Boat		Sitting asana
Nirālambasarvāṅgāsana	निरालम्बसर्वाङ्गासन	Unsupported shoulder stand		Inversion (Viparita Sthiti)
Pādahastāsana	पादहस्तासन	Standing Forward Bend		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Padma Pinyamayurasana		Peacock Feather Pose with legs in Padmasana/Elbow Balance		Arm Balance
Padmāsana	पद्मासन	Lotus		Sitting asana (Upavista Sthiti)
Paripūrṇanāvāsana	परिपूर्णनावासन	Full Boat		Abdominal asana (Udara Akunchana Sthiti)
Parivṛtta Baddha Pārśvakoṇāsana		Revolved Bound Side Angle		Asymmetrical standing twist with hand lock
Parivrtta Pārśvakonasana	परिवृत्तपार्श्वकोणासन	Revolved Side Angle		Twisting (Parivrrta Sthiti)
Parivṛttatrikoṇāsana	परिवृत्तत्रिकोणासन	Revolved Triangle		Twisting (Parivrrta Sthiti)
Parsvottanāsana		Intense stretch to the side		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Paryaṅkāsana	पर्यङ्कासन	Couch Pose		Sitting asana (Upavista Sthiti)
Pāśāsana	पाशासन	Noose		Twisting (Parivrrta Sthiti)
Paścimottānāsana	पश्चिमोत्तानासन	Extension of the posterior (western) part of the body		Forward Bend (Paschima Prattana Sthiti)
Pincha Mayurasana		Feathered Peacock Pose, forearm balance		Arm Balance
Prasāritapādottānāsana	प्रसारितपादोत्तानासन	Wide Stance Forward Bend		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Rajakapotāsana	कपोतासन	King Pigeon		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Śalabhāsana	शलभासन	Locust		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Salamba Sarvāṅgāsana I	सर्वाङ्गासन	Shoulder Stand		Inversion (Viparita Sthiti)
Salamba Śīrṣāsana I	शीर्षासन	Supported Headstand		Inversion (Viparita Sthiti)
Samakoṇāsana	समकोणासन	Straight angle
Samasthitiḥ	समस्थितिः	Equal Standing		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Śaśakāsana	शशकासन	Rabbit
Śavāsana Shavasana Sarvasana Mrtasana	शवासन	Corpse Pose		Resting asana (Visranta Karaka Asana)
Setubandhāsana	सेतुबन्धासन	Bridge Pose		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Setubandhasarvāṅgāsana	सेतुबन्धसर्वाङ्गासन	Shoulder supported Bridge		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Siddhāsana	सिद्धासन	Siddhi’s Pose		Sitting asana (Upavista Sthiti)
Siṁhāsana	सिंहासन	Lion
Sukhāsana	सुखासन	Auspicious (Easy) Pose		Sitting asana (Upavista Sthiti)
Suptabaddhakoṇāsana	सुप्तभद्धकोणासन	Reclining Bound Angle		Resting asana (Visranta Karaka Asana)
Suptakoṇāsana	सुप्तकोणासन	Angle		Inversion (Viparita Sthiti)
Supta Padangustasana I		Catching the big toe supine pose		Supine Leg stretch
Suptavajrāsana	सुप्तवज्रासन	Thunderbolt
Suptavīrāsana	सुप्तवीरासन	Reclining Hero		Resting asana (Visrana Karaka Asana)
Svastikāsana	स्वस्तिकासन	Cross Pose		Sitting asana (Upavista Sthiti)
Tāḍāsana	ताडासन	Mountain Pose		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Tiṭṭibhāsana	टिट्टिभासन	Insect Pose		Arm balance
Trikoṇāsana	त्रिकोणासन	Triangle		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Tulāsana	तुलासन	Balance posture		Arm Balance
Uḍḍīyānabandha	उड्डीयानबन्ध	The abdominal lock
Upavesāsana		Squatting Pose		Squatting asana
Upaviṣṭakoṇāsana	उपविष्टकोणासन	Open Angle		Forward Bend (Paschima Pratana Sthiti)
Urdhva Dhanurasana	ऊर्ध्वधनुरासन	Upwards-facing bow		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Ūrdhvamukhaśvānāsana	ऊर्ध्वमुखश्वानासन	Upward-Facing Dog		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Uṣṭrāsana	उष्ट्रासन	Camel		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)
Utkaṭāsana	उत्कटासन	Awkward Pose/Powerful pose		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Uttanakūrmāsana	उत्तानकूर्मासन	Inverted Tortoise
Uttānāsana	उत्तानासन	Standing Forward Bend		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Utthitahastapādāṅguṣṭhāsana	उत्थितहस्तपादाङ्गुष्ठासन	Standing Big Toe Hold		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Utthitapārśvakoṇāsana	उत्थितपार्श्वकोणासन	Extended Side Angle		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Uttihita Pārśvakonasana		Extended Side Angle Pose		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Vajrāsana	वज्रासन	Thunderbolt		Sitting asana (Upavista Sthiti)
Vasiṣṭhāsana	वसिष्ठासन	Vasista’s pose/Vasista is the name of a sage		Arm Balance (Side Plank Pose)
Vātāyanāsana	वातायनासन	Horse		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Viparītakaraṇi	विपरीतकरणि	Legs-up-the-Wall		Inverted asana (Viparita Sthiti)
Vīrabhadrāsana I	वीरभद्रासन	Warrior I		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Vīrabhadrāsana II	वीरभद्रासन II	Warrior II		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Vīrabhadrāsana III	वीरभद्रासन III	Warrior III		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Vīrāsana	वीरासन	Hero		Sitting asana (Upavista Sthiti)
Vṛkṣāsana	वृक्षासन	Tree		Standing asana (Uttihista Sthiti)
Vṛścikāsana	वृश्चिकासन	scorpion		Backbend (Purva Pratana Sthiti)

Source Wikipedia

Learn The Sanskrit Names of Basic Yoga Poses Video

SEATED YOGA POSES

Energetic Effect: Grounding & Balancing • Physical Effect: Flexibility
Threading the Needle
Easy Pose
Child
Seated Forward Bend
Rabbit
Table Pose
Balancing Table
Tiger
One-Legged King Pigeon (Version A)
Accomplished Pose
Cat Tilt Pose
Downward Facing Dog
Bound Angle
Half lord of the fishes (Version A)
Half Lotus

STANDING YOGA POSES
Energetic Effect: Uplifting & Opening • Physical Effect: Strength
Triangle
Mountain
Five Pointed Star
Tree
Warrior II
Standing Forward Fold
Goddess Squat
Warrior I
Crescent Moon
Chair
Standing Backbend
High Lunge
Pyramid
Reverse Warrior
Warrior III

SUPINE YOGA POSES
Energetic Effect: Nurturing & Integrating • Physical Effect: FlexibilityV
Bridge
Corpse
Belly Twist (Version A)
Half Supine Hero
Wind Relieving Pose
Joyful Baby
Supine Bound Angle
Supine Pigeon
Fish
Supine Hero

PRONE YOGA POSES
Energetic Effect: Energizing • Physical Effect: Back & Core Strength
Downward Facing Frog
Half Locust
Cobra
Four Limbed Staff Pose
Half Bow
Sphinx
Locust
Upward Facing Dog
Bow
Snake

Last update on 2025-05-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

OTHER YOGA POSTURE TYPES
The above main categories of yoga poses can also be categorized into the yoga pose types below. You can also filter by these posture types on the above main pose category pages.

BACK-BENDING YOGA POSES

Bridge poseMatsyasana • Fish poseUstrasana • Camel Pose
Energetic Effect: Energizing
Physical Effect: Strengthens Back & Core, Opens Chest

BALANCING YOGA POSES

Crane yoga pose Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana • Revolved Half Moon
Energetic Effect: Invigorating
Physical Effect: Strengthens Arms & Legs

CORE STRENGTH POSES

Purvottanasana • Inclined PlaneOne Leg Boat
Energetic Effect: Stabilizing
Physical Effect: Strengthens Core Muscles

FORWARD BENDING POSES

Uttanasana • Standing Forward FoldChild yoga poseParsvottanasana • Pyramid
Energetic Effect: Calming
Physical Effect: Stretches hamstrings & back muscles
HIP OPENING POSES

Upavistha Konasana • Seated AngleBound Angle poseHanumanasana • Seated Splits
Energetic Effect: Surrendering
Physical Effect: Opens hips

TWISTING YOGA POSES

Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana • Revolved Half MoonParivrtta Parsvakonasana • Revolved Side AngleParvritta Trikonasana • Revolved Triangle
Energetic Effect: Letting Go
Physical Effect: Stretches back muscles

Here are some techniques on how to maintain a good yoga postures. Just follow these steps in order for you to fully understand yoga postures and learn to be able to execute them in the proper manner.

1. You should stand with the bases of your big toes touching and the heels should be slightly apart. You must lift and spread your toes slowly and the balls of your feet too. Then after, you need to lay them softly down on the floor. Rock yourself back and forth and even side to side. You may gradually reduce this swaying to maintain a standstill, with your weight balanced evenly on your feet.

2. Hardening your thigh muscles and then lifting the knee caps is next. Do it without hardening your lower belly. Lift the inner ankles to make stronger the internal arches, then picture a line of energy all the way up along your inner thighs up to your groins. From there through the core of your neck, torso, and head, and out through the crown of your head. You should turn the upper thighs slowly inward. Make your tailbone longer toward the floor and raise the pubis in the direction of the navel.

3. Push your shoulder blades into your back, then broaden them cross-ways and discharge them down your back. Without roughly pushing your lower front ribs forward, lift the top of your sternum straight toward the ceiling. Broaden your collarbones. Suspend your arms alongside the torso.

4. You should balance the crown of your head, unswerving over the middle of your pelvis, with the base of your chin analogous to the floor, throat soft, and the tongue broad and plane on the floor of your mouth. Make your eyes look softer.

5. Tadasana is usually the initial yoga position for all the standing poses. Applying Tansana is useful especially in applying the poses. Staying in the pose for 30 seconds up to 1 minute, then breathing easily keeps it satisfactory.

Just follow these simple basics and you will be sure that you are doing the right steps when performing yoga postures.